Tropical Storm Sara has made a disastrous debut in Belize and Honduras, with torrential rains triggering life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and prompting a national emergency—because who doesn't love a little chaos during hurricane season?

As the 18th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Sara has left over 47,000 people straddling the line between 'rather be anywhere else' and 'please, not again'. The storm has battered Honduras with rainfall totals reaching a staggering 40 inches in isolated areas, leading to at least one fatality, extensive flooding, and prompting a national emergency. With storm remnants possibly heading towards Florida, residents might want to start stocking up on waterproof socks and floaties.

The government of Honduras wasn't just worried about soggy socks; they were busy declaring a national emergency as the storm unleashed its fury. Officials reported that rescue teams had successfully pulled off a staggering 90 rescues. When your life is in a balance, nothing says 'we've got this' quite like dodging mudslides with a rescue boat, especially when the boat is likely to be inflatable and the driver is your neighbor John, who just the other day learned to swim.

Meanwhile, over 45,000 individuals found themselves on the less fortunate side of this natural disaster, dealing with flooding that made indoor swimming pools seem like a reasonable alternative to fully-functioning homes. Reports indicate that more than 86 homes sustained sheer damage, which gives a new meaning to the term 'bad weather.'

It is odd to think that while some residents were grappling with the chaos outside, others were debating whether to venture out for emergency tacos. There’s something ironic about having to navigate through chest-high water to indulge in late-night munchies. But hey, who can resist a good snack amidst a national disaster? If the storm didn’t ruin your roof, your craving for hot sauce surely would.

And for those holding out hope that Tropical Storm Sara would spare Florida from its watery embrace, think again. Meteorologists have warned that the storm's remnants could spark new concerns along the coast. Weather experts are recommending that Floridians be prepared for potential flooding and rain because it wouldn't be a hurricane season without a last-minute showdown near the Sunshine State.

Injuries and losses are never a laughing matter, but it does beg the question: how many times can we rally amidst humbling circumstances? Hurricane veterans might be dusting off their storm survival kits, wondering aloud if maybe they overestimated the likelihood of beach days this year. One can't help but ponder whether there's a secret competitive element to all this 'who survives the storm' nonsense.

Back in Honduras, cleanup efforts will certainly take some time, and the government is now grappling with the daunting task of supporting those affected. It seems every storm underscores the necessity for emergency preparedness and community resilience, or as most people would like to think, the value of a good pair of galoshes.

While the rain pours in Honduras, those of us in more sheltered locations can only shake our heads in disbelief and remember the importance of checking the weather app before scheduling a vacation. Next time when we ponder heading for tropical vibes, it’s probably wise to consult our friends in meteorology first—just in case they have a heads-up about the next storm’s unpredictable tendencies to swipe right on unsuspecting cities.

With the hurricane season still in full swing and Tropical Storm Sara making landfall in Belize, it's clear that nature doesn't work on a calendar. The only calendar we might want to pay attention to is a waterproof one displaying evacuation routes and places that sell floaties.

At the very least, we've learned that being overprepared is better than being underprepared—and that, much like your ex's text messages post-breakup, it's best to keep an eye on those storm systems for the foreseeable future.